Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 13-year-old cricket sensation, has revealed that West Indies legend Brian Lara is his cricketing idol and that he strives to emulate Lara’s iconic playing style. Speaking ahead of India U19’s match against Pakistan U19 in the 2024 ACC U19 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Suryavanshi shared his focused approach to the game.
“Brian Lara is my idol. I try to play like him, but I also keep it natural with the skills I have and focus on improving them,” Suryavanshi told Sony Sports Network. The young cricketer emphasized his dedication, stating, “I’m currently focused on my game and not distracted by what’s happening around me. My goal is to concentrate on the Asia Cup and take it one game at a time.”
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Suryavanshi’s rapid rise in cricket has been nothing short of extraordinary. Born on March 27, 2011, in Bihar, he made his first-class debut for the state in January 2024 at just 12 years and 284 days old, making him one of the youngest players in history to achieve this milestone. In a recent India U19 match against Australia, he grabbed headlines with a blistering 58-ball century, showcasing his immense potential.
In domestic cricket, Suryavanshi has represented Bihar in the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he made his T20 debut against Rajasthan on November 23. Despite his young age, he has already played five first-class matches, scoring 100 runs with a highest score of 41.
His remarkable journey caught the attention of IPL franchises during the 2024 IPL mega auction. Suryavanshi became a hot commodity, sparking a fierce bidding war between the Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals. Ultimately, the Rajasthan Royals secured his services for a whopping ₹1.1 crore, making him one of the youngest and most promising players to enter the IPL.